Abstract

In the post-Cold War process of commodification of higher education and scientific research, the guiding principle for both survival and control of higher education has shifted from «truth» to «profit». This article argues that the key object and purpose of higher education and research is, besides and beyond professionalization, to unmask political, economic and cultural manipulation and to enable citizens to employ informed and critical judgment over powerholders. On the premise that «global governance» is an ungoverned Darwinian arena, it is ultimately for the constitutional, democratic and pluralist state to promote freedom of critique - possibly with the assistance of committed non-state actors - and to protect universities and research from power- and profit-driven strategies through public financing.